Crystal Dragon Jewelry 3D Cuff

Finally, I am making progress, with my big 3-D Crystal Dragon cuff! I decided to order a quart of a new, super expensive, super clear rubber urethane. I am still running tests, but, so far, so good. What a steep learning curve there is with this new resin. The temperature has to be just right, the pressure has to be 60psi minimum, the wind has to be out of the east, etc. The cure time is 16 hours under pressure, then another 6-8 hours at room temp, then into the heat box for another 16 hours at 160 degree F. That is a long time to wait, until you can de-mold, and see if your casting was successful.

I am loving how this new resin looks. Here is a test sample shown against the brass cuff. The brass backing will allow the dragon cuff to be infinitely adjustable.

The clarity of this new resin is amazing. Except for the brass end strips, my prototype is almost finished. For two years, I have been working out the details of this design. I am so excited to see my crystal dragon cuff design come together! NOTE: Compared to optical glass, which has an index of refraction of 1.50, this new resin has an refractive index of 1.488. That is pretty close to crystal clear.

Mermaid Jewelry - Mermaid in a Shell Pendant

Here is the latest mermaid jewelry design from my Iridescent Sea Series. I sculpted this mermaid in clay, and then used this clay master to create the mold, and finally I hand cast this mermaid pendant in tough and durable, urethane resin. Cast in white pearl resin, there is an iridescent shimmering Aurora Borealis layer, that gives the Mother of Pearl effect. Titled "Sleeping in a Shell", this mermaid pendant is 2 1/2" wide by 2 1/2" tall. You can read about sculpting this mermaid in my previous post.

You can see all my mermaid jewelry for sale here: Mermaid Jewelry by In Art studio on Etsy

Mermaid Sculpture - WIP - for Mermaid Pendant

My new mermaid sculpture is finally looking close to finished. All the finishing touches are done. I decided to add a big 12mm Swarvoski pearl and sculpted her right arm. I like how the big pearl makes her look even smaller. I have more smoothing to do, and fixing small details, then she should be ready for a final bake. I am anticipating the next mermaid sculpture. An even smaller mermaid for a ring.

This tiny mermaid sculpture has no arms yet, and still needs hair. The shell is 2-1/2 inches tall. That is my baby finger on the right. My sculpting tools were too big, so I ended up using sewing needles and pins.

 

 

Compare her head to the size of my thumb! I need stronger magnifying glasses...... It's like looking at a splinter in your finger all day.

I little more smoothing to do, and then she's going into the oven for her 1st bake. After that, I will not have to be so paranoid about accidentally bumping into her face. I have been thinking about adding a big Swarvoski pearl, nestled into the bend in her tail, and draping her right arm over the pearl. What do you think? Pearl? No pearl?

She finally has some hair and her left arm. She looks sooo much better not bald.

I keep taking macro photos, so I can look at her close up on the computer screen. I did get some higher power reading glasses last weekend. Helps a lot. Makes me dizzy when I try to walk around in them.

Searching for the Perfect Color of Turquoise

I have been conducting color tests all week, looking for just the right color of opaque turquoise for my mermaid jewelry. I want a turquoise that is not too blue, nor too green. I want a luminous turquoise that is saturated and bright, not too light, not too dark. The right color of turquoise, is the one that makes me smile, and reminds me of the sunny Caribbean. The perfect color of turquoise, makes your skin glow, even without a summer tan.

I mix up small 4 gram batches of resin and combine different pigments, and pour the resin into my small starfish molds. I take careful notes of what and how much of each colorant I mix. Once the resin has set up, I transfer my notes to a white index card and glue the starfish next to the notes. This makes it easier for me to compare the color of all of my test samples. These index cards are then filed away in a recipe box for future reference. I also transfer these notes to each of the mixing cups, with a permanent marker, and keep them in stacked by color family, in my casting room. As I type this, I am thinking how anal this all sounds.

The decision of color all comes down to placing each small starfish on my wrist, and judging how the color looks against my skin. I am still looking for that perfect color of turquoise. Maybe, if I add just a dab of ......

Mermaid Jewelry - The Importance of Color

One of the great advantages of creating resin mermaid jewelry, is the ability to color the resin. But, this ability can be a challenge or a headache. I am a perfectionist, and can not be satisfied until the color is perfect. I feel that color can make or break a design. No matter how wonderful the form and fit of a piece, if the color is not perfect, I am not happy with the piece. These imperfect castings are stored in a box labeled "Casting Misfits". I sometimes sift through this box, looking for ideas, remembering all my color blunders. Wondering to myself, "what was I thinking when I cast that awful color?"

Color is a big part of my design process. I can be out shopping or working in my garden, when I see a color that inspires me. I just have to try and reproduce that color in my studio. Or a particular color will inspire a new design. Color is one of the most important elements of my mermaid jewelry design. I believe that if the color does not catch your eye, the design will not sell.

Here is an example of one of my mermaid jewelry pieces in my top selling color. It's not so much a color, as a color effect. I know that the color is perfect, when I can not resist the urge to grab my camera, and start taking photos.


You can see all my mermaid jewelry for sale here: Mermaid Jewelry by In Art studio on Etsy

Mermaid Necklace with Dolphin - Nautical Sea Blue Mermaid Jewelry

Do you love the color blue? Blue is my favorite color for summer. My new mermaid necklace is the color of the shimmering blue sea. A gorgeous saturated, transparent, medium nautical blue, that reminds me of long, warm summer days, lounging by the pool. Over this color, is an iridescent shimmering layer, of blue, aqua, and violet. The Mermaid, her dolphin and sea life friends are 3-dimensional and highly detailed, down to tiny scales on both the mermaid's tail and the fish bodies. I sculpted and cast two little starfish in sea blue resin, to grasp the ends of each of the 3 strands of glowing sea blue glass beads. A new mermaid and dolphin necklace design, from my Iridescent Sea Series. Imagine this Saltwater Siren swimming around your neck. Stunning!

Are you planning a romantic get-a-way this year? Imagine how gorgeous this mermaid necklace would look with your favorite cruise wear or beach wear. Fabulous! This blue mermaid would look so pretty this summer, with a simple white T-shirt paired with your favorite jeans.

This mermaid measures 5-1/2 inches wide by 3 inches from top to bottom. At each side are 2 resin starfish bead caps and 3 strands of glowing sea blue glass beads, ending in a gold lobster claw clasp and an extra 4 inches of gold extender chain. At the end of the chain is a single blue bead and my logo tag, for Night Sky Jewelry. The mermaid and dolphin necklace measures 16 inches long, adjustable to 20 inches long.


You can see all my mermaid jewelry for sale here: Mermaid Jewelry by In Art studio on Etsy

Dragon Necklace - White Pearl Dragon Wedding Jewelry

Are you looking for pearl jewelry that is extraordinary and dramatic? My white pearl dragon necklace is 3-Dimensional and highly detailed, down to his spiky horns and tiny scales on his magnificent wings. He bares his tiny fangs and glares with eyes of fiery Swarovski crystal rhinestones, defending his dragon's treasure of white pearls. Stunning!

Like a dreamy cloud of creamy white pearls around your neck, my pearl Dragon Necklace looks fit for a queen. This dragon necklace is a combination of silky white, pearl colored resin and real freshwater pearls, and is covered in pearls and pearl cabochons. I sculpted and cast the two bead caps, to grasp the ends of each of the 3 strands of glowing freshwater pearls.

Imagine how romantic this dragon pearl necklace would look on a bride for a spring or summer wedding. Fabulous! Perfect bridal jewelry for a fantasy or Renaissance wedding. For evening glamour, wear this dragon necklace with your favorite little black dress. Or, dress it down, by wearing it peeking out from the neckline of a white tailored men's shirt paired with your favorite jeans.

This dragon necklace measures 5-1/2 inches wide by 3 inches from top to bottom. At each side are 2 pearl cabochon bead caps and 3 strands of real freshwater pearls, ending in a gold lobster claw clasp and an extra 4 inches of gold extender chain. At the end of the chain is a pearl and my logo tag, for Night Sky Jewelry. The pearls and dragon necklace measures 16 inches long, adjustable to 20 inches long.

You can see all my dragon jewelry for sale here: Dragon Jewelry by In Art studio on Etsy

Mermaid Necklace in Tropical Turquoise Blue

Chase away those winter blahs with my new mermaid necklace in tropical turquoise blue. Like white sandy beaches and warm blue water, my mermaid necklace will lift your spirits. An island get-away, around your neck.

A mermaid necklace, in tropical turquoise blue! The color of tropical water. Makes me want to dive right in. The color is a gorgeous saturated, transparent, turquoise blue. Over this color, is an iridescent shimmering layer, of blue, aqua, and violet. The Mermaid, her dolphin and sea life friends are 3-dimensional and highly detailed, down to tiny scales on both the mermaid's tail and the fish bodies. I sculpted and cast two little starfish in turquoise blue resin, to grasp the ends of each of the 3 strands of glowing turquoise blue glass beads. A new mermaid and dolphin necklace design, from my Iridescent Sea Series. Imagine this Saltwater Siren swimming around your neck. Stunning!

You can see all my mermaid jewelry for sale here: Mermaid Jewelry
by In Art studio on Etsy

Dragon Necklace - AB Crystals - White Pearl Dragon Jewelry

Here is the first of my new dragon necklace designs for Spring 2013. The colors of this dragon necklace are so fresh, so young, so romantic. I think it would be the perfect necklace for a spring or summer bride for her fantasy wedding.

This Dragon Necklace combines silky white, pearl colored resin and freshwater pearls. and is covered in the soft colors of Aurora Borealis crystals and cabochons.  I sculpted and cast the two bead caps, to grasp the ends of each of the 3 strands of glowing freshwater pearls and Aurora Borealis crystal beads. My mythical Dragon necklace is 3-Dimensional and highly detailed, down to his spiky horns and tiny scales on his magnificent wings. He bares his tiny fangs and glares with eyes of fiery Swarovski crystal rhinestones, defending his dragon's treasure of vintage style Aurora Borealis cabochons and Aurora Borealis Swarovski crystal rhinestones. Stunning!

You can see all my dragon jewelry for sale here: Dragon Jewelry by In Art studio on Etsy

Dragon Bracelet, Black Winged Dragon Jewelry

About a year ago, I had a customer ask me if I could design a dragon bracelet, similar to the vintage HAR dragon bracelet. I had never seen a HAR dragon, so I did some Google searching and was immediately overcome with jewelry lust. But, at the prices these bracelets were going for, I knew I would have to make my own. Except my dragon bracelet version has horns and wings.
I sculpted this 3-D dragon, with all the same details as my large dragon wristband, but at a much smaller scale. I had to wear my magnifying head piece, over the top of my reading glasses, to sculpt this little dragon. I knew he would be top heavy, so I designed the bracelet in an oval shape, to stay put on the wrist. My Dragon has a long tail, that connects to the body, with a spring loaded hinge. This bypass, clapper style bracelet is nice for easy on and off. I wanted vintage stones, but finding a reliable supply is almost impossible. So, I used the ones I found, to mold my own stones. This makes it possible to cast the stones is any color I want. The Swarvoski rhinestones, interspersed throughout the dragon bracelet, gives the bracelet just the right amount of sparkle.
Here is the all black dragon bracelet.




Available in size small and medium. You can read more about my Dragon Bracelet and purchase one here: Dragon Jewelry by In Art studio on Etsy

Pearl Dragon Bracelet - Winged Dragon Jewelry

This is the white pearl version of my dragon bracelet, covered in Aurora Borealis crystals and cabochons. So feminine, so refined, I think this color might appeal to brides. Perfect bridal jewelry for a fantasy or Renaissance wedding.
I love how this pearl white version with all the tiny details. This is a hinged spring, bypass bracelet made for easy on and easy off. The bracelet is 1-1/2 inches in width and an oval shape so the dragon will stay on top of your wrist. My Honey-Do says it's his favorite.


You can see all my dragon jewelry for sale here: Dragon Jewelry by In Art studio on Etsy

Turquoise Cow Skull

This week, I painted a cow skull using my turquoise painting technique. This was a fun challenge. Painting a 3 dimensional object, like a real bone animal skull, is a lot different than painting a flat canvas. There are so many nooks and crannies on a cow skull.

Tom found a box of skulls that had been stored away for years.  This is Colorado, after all, and I assume everyone has cow skull and deer skulls in their storage units. What to do with them? I suggested pitching them. Tom decided to give them a good cleaning, then asked me if I would paint them.

The first one I painted was a massive cow skull. First, I gave it a good coating of gesso on all the surfaces I could reach. This step ensures that the turquoise paint will adhere and gave me a white background just like my canvas paintings. Then I used my professional grade, artist acrylics to create the turquoise look.  This cow skull turned out so nice, that we decided to post it for sale in Tom's Etsy store, Tom's Critters.

I think it would look great in a western or southwestern decor. For more photos and info, see this turquoise cow skull and more for sale at Tom's Critters

Mermaid Bracelet in Iridescent Blue

This is my mermaid bracelet in a new color, my favorite color, blue. This color knocked my socks off when I removed her from the mold. I love it! It's an iridescent, transparent, saturated blue. The mermaid changes color from aqua to blue to lavender as you rotate her in the light. She would be wonderful as a necklace, IF, I can find tiny beads in this color of blue.


Available here:
Mermaid Bracelet with Dolphin in Iridescent Blue by In Art studio on Etsy

Mermaid Bracelet in Antique Ivory Resin with Octopus, Dolphin and Treasure Chest

I love old scrimshaw, so I wanted to make a mermaid bracelet that looks like Antique Ivory. I think it looks like a bracelet found in an antique shop or maritime museum, or a bracelet carved at sea by a sailor, on an old whaling vessel. Titled "Treasure" from my Iridescent Sea Series. Imagine this Saltwater Siren swimming around your wrist. Stunning!
This beautiful Mermaid and her sea life friends are a 3-dimensional jewelry sculpture cuff bracelet, full of detail, down to tiny scales on both the mermaid's tail and tiny pearls and crystals. The Mermaid and her octopus girlfriend are trying on jewelry from a treasure chest. The girlfriend octopus has gone "over the top" with a tiara and jewelry on each arm, and is reaching for more. A baby dolphin is getting in on the fun, and sports a pearl necklace. A school of tiny fish are hogging the mermaid's mirror.

You can see all my mermaid jewelry for sale here: Mermaid Jewelry by In Art studio on Etsy

Designing a Dragon Wristband – Dragon Wings

All summer my poor dragon sat, wingless.

The summers here in Colorado provide wonderful weather for working outdoors. So I take the opportunity to sculpt outside of my studio. These sculptures are mostly 3 foot and larger, that will not fit through the door and are too messy to work on inside. I sculpt with a modified concrete mix and wire. Totally different material and scale from my jewelry. I have found that switching mediums gives my creativity a boost.

One day, the answer to my dragon wings problem dawned on me. Duh! I was stuck in a rut! I had gotten so used to designing for my standard material, urethane resin, that I could not find a solution for my wings. The wings were not the problem. The problem was my material.

And so my hunt for the perfect new resin began.

Monarch Butterfly Ring

Celebrate the return of the monarch butterflies. Perched on your finger, with his little wings uplifted, he looks so real, even his little body is 3-dimensional. This is not a real Monarch Butterfly, but a perfect imitation of natures fluttering jewel, captured inside water-clear resin. Monarch Butterfly rings, are perfect casual jewelry for summer.

Find them in my Etsy Store, available in size 7 or size 8"

Fantasy Castle Ring

This delightful castle ring has been a year in in design. My fantasy castle ring had to be absolutely fabulous and it had to be strong and durable. I designed this extraordinary fantasy castle ring for my daughter, in honor of her upcoming wedding. I gave the prototype ring to her, at her bridal wedding shower, as a reminder, that she will always be "my princess". She will be wearing it as a right hand ring for the wedding, in honor of her Mommy. What a sentimental bunch we are.

A miniature pearl castle floats above a cloud of pearls, iridescent glass beads, and a sprinkling of Swarovski rhinestones,  all cascading over a white pearl band ring. Each of the 8 towers on the white castle, is adorned with a tiny, 2.5mm iridescent Swarovski  Crystal Aurora Borealis bead. Exquisite!

Who says you need a Prince Charming to have your very own fairytale castle? Every woman needs to feel like a princess once in a while. Do you have  a "princess" in your life? Or, do you need a little something to make you feel special? Let me make a fantasy castle ring especially for  you. These rings are individually made to order.

Order one in my Etsy Store, available in size 6, 7 or size 8

Blue Morpho Godarti Butterfly Rings are Back

Finally, I have perfected my method for making these rings. Originally, making the butterflies was a hit-or-miss endeavor. Approximately half of them would have to be scrapped, due to imperfections. This was frustrating and a waste of materials, not to mention time. I kept at it, thinking I just needed to perfect my technique.  But finally, I realized, that I just needed a different technique.

After much thought, I came up with a better way to make my little butterflies. This new technique involves  more time, but, I have cut my scrap down to almost zero. Yeah! And, the butterflies are better than ever.

You can find them listed in my Etsy store, in a choice of size 7 or size 8.

Blue Morpho Godarti Butterfly Ring

Seahorse Bracelet with Shells in Blues and Greens

I wanted to try something different, with my favorite seahorse mold. Also, I had these fantastic Swarovski beads, just begging to be used. I started with a vibrant, azure blue and warm, lime green colored resin seahorse. Next I added turquoise and 22K gold seashells and Blue Zircon, Swarovski Aurora Borealis, 4mm bicone beads. And, finished with a blue-green Aurora Borealis Swarovski rhinestone eye. Tropical reef paradise! Can't you just feel the warm, tropical water washing over your skin and hear the Calypso music playing in the background? Stunning!


Light as a summer breeze, this is a hinged spring, clapper style bracelet is made for easy on and easy off. Fun to look at and fun to wear, I really enjoyed creating this seahorse bracelet design.


Find it here in my etsy store: In Art Studio

Coral and Pearls Resin Bracelet

I had been thinking about adding pearls to one of my coral resin bracelet designs for a while. I wanted a better attachment method than glue, and I wanted a more organic look than the standard round pearls. Since no solution readily came to mind, I put the design on the back burner.

On a recent shopping expedition, I came across a strand of gorgeous baroque pearls. I bought them, not knowing why I needed them (pure impulse buying) It wasn't until I got home, that I realized they were the perfect solution for my coral bracelet design. I love these pearls. They are soft and glowing, with such a wonderful, lustrous nacre, and delightful character. I fiddled with a way to attach them, till I realized, I could just string them on. Duh!

By drilling numerous, .032" diameter holes, and using clear nylon line, I wove the pearls in and out of the resin coral branches, in a natural, hap-hazard looking pattern. I added 4mm Swarovski bi-cone beads, in a soft turquoise color, interspersed among the pearls. The clear, nylon line is strong and invisible. The final design, appears as if the pearls and tiny turquoise beads, have been captured in the coral branches by the motion of the sea. Perfect.

Now, If I could just get some more jewelry designs off the back burner.